Nailers Wrestle Down Grizzlies on Teddy Bear Toss Night
December 6, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The first part of the season has been filled with ups and downs for the Wheeling Nailers, but the recent homestand appears to have things going in the right direction. On Saturday night, the Nailers found the back of the net seven times, giving them 12 goals in two contests, as they swept the two-game series against the Utah Grizzlies, taking a 7-3 final score into the win column. Wheeling went 4-1-0 on the homestand, scoring nine times on the power play, while earning its first three-game winning streak of 2014-15.
Quick goals have been the formula for success during the homestand, and it took the Nailers just 3:56 to get the teddy bears raining down on WesBanco Arena ice. While playing shorthanded, Tyler Murovich dropped a pass off for Morgan Ellis in the right circle. Ellis stepped up with a drive, which whistled into the left side of the net. With 9:37 to go in the first period, Wheeling utilized its power play to extend the lead. David Gilbert slipped a pass through the crease to Riley Brace, who tapped in his fifth man advantage goal of the campaign.
The Grizzlies attempted to rush back in the second period, holding a 15-3 shots advantage during one stretch of play, while drawing even on the scoreboard. Mathieu Aubin brought Utah within one, when he backhanded home the rebound of Matt Pelech's right point slap shot, before Jacob Johnston tied the game with a redirection of Aubin's pass in the slot. The tie ended up being short-lived, as the Nailers responded with 16 of the next 18 shots, while powering into the lead. On his bobblefist night, Patrick McGrath slithered through the defense, jamming in a goal with his backhand at the 18:04 mark of the middle frame, before Mike Ratchuk rifled in a power play goal from the middle of the blueline for a 4-2 advantage after forty minutes.
The offense continued to light it up in the third period, starting at the 1:25 mark. After picking up his first pro point with an assist on Friday, Jarrett Burton tallied his first pro goal, redirecting in David Makowski's shot from the right point. Burton and Makowski then helped to set up Wheeling's sixth goal of the evening, as Derek Army paused, before pumping in his second goal in as many nights from the middle of the slot. Morgan Ellis added a power play marker with 2:52 to go for his second of the contest, before Mathieu Aubin got one back in the final minute for Utah. The final score was 7-3 in favor of the Nailers.
Eric Hartzell snagged the win for Wheeling, denying 32 of the 35 shots he faced. Joe Howe was the losing goaltender for the Grizzlies, allowing seven goals on 31 shots.
The Nailers will make their first ever trip to Brampton to face the Beast on Sunday at 2:00, before returning home on Wednesday to battle the Toledo Walleye at 7:05.
The December 10th game between Wheeling and Toledo is a WesBanco Winning Wednesday. If the Nailers win, fans can exchange their ticket for the game on January 11th against the Indy Fuel. The December 14th contest against the Reading Royals is a Family Funday, with a post game skate with the team and a visit by the Good Zoo at Oglebay.
Holiday packs are also available. For $49, fans can purchase the Elf Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a t-shirt, and an autographed puck. For $99, fans can purchase the Reindeer Package, receiving ten ticket vouchers. For $129, fans can purchase the Santa Package, receiving four ticket vouchers, a replica jersey, and a Reebok hat.
Wheeling Nailers 2014-15 season tickets, flex tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
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